Judith Lawrence, the organizer of the River Poets Journal and Artsbridge, emails newsletters periodically. Most of teh time they are riddled with dates for all sorts of writer's contests - mostly for poets, but not always. In one of her latest newsletter, the below was featured. I thought it was very poignant and wanted to share it with all of you...
By Alice Wootson
Fifteen Things to Consider about Writing
1. The only things you need in order to write are an idea, something to write with and something to write on.
2. Take as many writing workshops/classes as you can.
3. Write every day even if it's only for ten minutes.
4. Write because you have to, not because you want to.
5. Know your characters as well as you know yourself.
6. Place yourself in the scene and pull your reader in with details.
7. Visualize the scene, but don't ignore the other senses.
8. Don't rush to the next scene until you have developed the present one fully.
9. If a character and a story idea are on your mind, write them down, otherwise they will bug you until you do.
10. Write and revise, then write and revise again. Then edit.
11. Know your weakness and work to correct it. Spelling counts. So does grammar.
12. Finish the piece. There is no market for perfect partials.
13. Unl ess you receive rejections, you aren't submitting.
14. You have to send your work out. Nobody will come knocking on your door to ask if you have anything you would like published.
15. It only takes one editor to like your work.
Alice Wootson has published ten novels, and is a member of the Philadelphia Writers Conference board. The Philadelphia Writers' Conference will be held June 6-8. See details at the above link, or this link...
So, let's see if we can add to this excellent list. What would your number 16 be? Add it in the comment section...
Happy Writing!
Sheri Ks, ks
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3 comments:
I love this list! Thanks for posting.
And is #14 like a daydream all writers have?
Hey PJ. I agree. Number 14 made it to my “personal favorite list.” I also really love numbers 4, 11, and especially 12!!! 13 is a nice spin on reality! Also 15 put a smile on my face too. They are all great.
If I were to add to this list - it would be hard - because it is so complete. But... if I think about my own weaknesses in reaching my goals... If I really got honest with myself... I think I would add, "model my daily life after someone I admire." And by that I don't mean necessarily someone famous or by saying, I want to be rich and famous like her - what I mean is to find out what their life was BEFORE the glitz and glam, how they got there, what they were willing to do/sacrifice… and then relate that back to my life. What am I willing to do and sacrifice in my life in order to rach my goals!? What if we thought that now, right now in our lives, IS before the glitz and glam? What necessary steps in my life have I taken?
This is a big one for me because it is something I don’t do all the time. Sure, I take classes, and attend conferences, and joined a writer’s group – hello writers! But what I don’t do, or should I say what I allow to happen is this… when my “working life” is busy, instead of pulling late nights so I can fit writing in, I don’t. I think to myself – I’ve been working hard, I need a break. And I read or watch TV in my one spare 60 minutes, instead of taking at least 10 of those to keep connected to my MC and story. Then days, maybe weeks, go by and I feel worse and worse and worse as time goes on.
So, if I were to add to this already near perfect list… my #16 would be…
16. Even when you think you can’t, you can! No. You MUST. (And I’d add a little bit of Nike) Just do it!
What would you number 16 be?
Sheri, my number 16 is close to your number 16. I would add: Don't let negative comments (including your own) stand in your way. If they show up, cast them out. I must remind myself of this quite often.
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